If this "not giving up information on systems play" late in the season thing is true, AND it turns out to be effective, it would be an interesting new twist on how NHL teams prepare for the post-season. To my knowledge, I've not really heard of it being done in hockey. It happens in football a bit... it's quite effective there as teams prepare for their opponents in great detail based on scouting and film. It'll be very interesting to see how this plays out.

Puck wrote:If this "not giving up information on systems play" late in the season thing is true, AND it turns out to be effective, it would be an interesting new twist on how NHL teams prepare for the post-season. To my knowledge, I've not really heard of it being done in hockey. It happens in football a bit... it's quite effective there as teams prepare for their opponents in great detail based on scouting and film. It'll be very interesting to see how this plays out.

I was figuring that the Canucks have been playing possum for the past couple of weeks since they essentially sewed up the division. They have 2nd seed locked up so basically the remaining games are glorified scrimmages. What got me was they started playing not to waste energy and/or get hurt, but then Chicago woke them up. Now, it's like exhibition season - new line-ups and D pairings, equal distribution of goaltending starts, etc. Everybody knows they have another gear offensively and it just seems like this is their time to practice playing it tight. Considering the way the games are getting called, that may be the only way to win. Given that any of the teams they've played lately could be 1st-round opponents, you couldn't have asked for better sparring partners.

I really think AV and Newell Brown have more than a couple of PP systems and plays up their sleeves. Brown is too good a strategist and the players are too creative to be this bad at adapting to opposing PKs. That would explain why they keep going for the drop pass on the neutral zone break-ins when everyone and Buddha knows it's coming. Why give the opposition a free peek? T'would be a savvy thing.

At least, I hope that's the explanation. Otherwise.... ooooooooohhh boooyyyy....

Lancer wrote:I really think AV and Newell Brown have more than a couple of PP systems and plays up their sleeves. Brown is too good a strategist and the players are too creative to be this bad at adapting to opposing PKs. That would explain why they keep going for the drop pass on the neutral zone break-ins when everyone and Buddha knows it's coming. Why give the opposition a free peek? T'would be a savvy thing.

Newell Brown! That's that guys name I see standing behind the bench. He has a look on his face that says "I hope nobody has realized yet, that I am completely useless and have no idea why I am standing here"

"I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Are you listening? - Plastics." - The Graduate